August 3, 2005	Wednesday	Jumadi-us-Sani 26, 1426

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 2: The close cooperation between India and Pakistan and resolution of disputed issues, including the core issue of Kashmir, was in the interest of people of both the countries that would unlock tremendous resources for the development and prosperity of the region.

This was stated by National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain while talking to Indian High Commissioner Shivshankar Menon, who called on him at the Parliament House here on Tuesday.

The speaker called for better understanding and reducing the trust-deficit between the two countries. The speaker said parliamentarians of both the countries should rise to the occasion and play their role in resolving the long-standing issues and disputes between India and Pakistan.

Mutual contacts and frequent visits of parliamentarians of both the countries would help in better understanding and dispute resolution, the speaker said.

The speaker said Pakistan was fully committed to the ongoing composite dialogue process with India and hoped that the leadership of both the countries would succeed in resolving all disputes, including Kashmir.

He said the future of both India and Pakistan depended on strong democracies and closer cooperation and their relations were to have far-reaching impact on the regional peace and development.

Highlighting the importance of local bodies in Pakistan, the speaker said local bodies were the backbone of democratic institutions and a conduit for empowerment of people at grass roots level.

The Indian High Commissioner said closer cooperation between the two countries would usher in an era of prosperity in the region.

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